Egypt The Gift of the Nile Irrigation

Egypt: “The Gift of the Nile” • Irrigation • Papyrus – paper, mats, sandals, rope, baskets, boats • Fish • Waterfowl • Transportation • Animals

Impact of Geography • Fertile Nile River • Marshy Nile Delta (silt, plentiful vegetation and animals)- Lower Egypt • Deshret – “Red Land”- Sounds like • Upper Egypt- Higher Elevation • The Wild Nile- Rapids, Flooding

Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt King Menes aka Narmer

Old Kingdom (2, 700 -2, 000 BCE) Centralized Powers Strong Pharaohs Theocracy How do we know so much?

Hieroglyphics • Rosetta Stone 1799 • Found by Napoleon’s troops • Greek, Hieroglyphics & Demotic

Religion • http: //www. ancientegypt. co. uk/gods/story/ main. html • Theocracy – king is seen as God – incarnation of Ra • Polytheistic • Book of the Dead

Pyramids • important for “ka” of the pharaoh (continues to bless Egypt) • Built during the Old Kingdom

Mummies!

Isis & Osiris • Osiris – Underworld, Vegetation, Fertility • Isis – Motherhood, Queens

Power of the Nile • Trade • Travel • Flooding

The Middle Kingdom (2, 040 - 1, 640 BCE) • Prosperity and Projects • Reuniting Upper and Lower Egypt

Necessary Technology • Irrigation Systems • Dams • Shadoof

Scientific Advancements • Calendar- 365 days, 12 months, 30 days • Medical- slings, heart rate by pulse, surgery, wound care

Social Classes

The New Kingdom • Expansion of religious participation (commoners) • Expansion of borders • Increased building of temples and monuments

Ahmose 1600 BC • • Overthrows Hyksos Restoration of Egyptian trade & culture Takes name “Pharaoh” Pharaoh = “Great House”

Hatshepsut 1480 BC • Crowned herself pharaoh (first woman) • Regent for Thutmose III • Beard – symbol of power

Thutmose III 1400’s BC • Expansion to the Euphrates • *** Empire • **Cultural Diffusion with Mesopotamia

Ramses the Great 1200’s BC • Temples & monuments • Peace treaty with Syria • Pharaoh of the Moses story